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I’m did a little research on what to expect for my mastectomy, and came upon some suggestions of what I’ll need in the hospital and afterwards. I’ll put the list up now (so I don’t forget), and then let you know whether or not they were useful afterwards.

Things to bring to the hospital, in no particular order:

-lotion and lip balm (everything is always so dry)

-hard candy for my dry throat after surgery

-a small pillow to hold the seat belt away from my chest on the way home. I got one after my initial appointment with the breast cancer facilitator. Now I just have to find it…

-toothbrush and toothpaste (for some reason, I tend to forget these things)

-my iPod so I have some music and podcasts to listen to while I’m sitting in the hospital. Better be sure to update the iPod before I head into the hospital

-a good book, or maybe just my Kindle so I have lots of choices

-elastic waist pants and a front button/zipper shirt since I won’t be able to lift my right arm up for a while. In fact, I’m heading out this weekend to buy a set of warm pajamas that button up the front as well

-my sleeping beanie hat so my head doesn’t get cold. Speaking of my head, check out the hair growth:

Look – you can actually see hair!

It’s not long enough to go out in public without a hat yet, especially in this winter weather, but there’s definite growth happening! (Compare it to the photo taken two weeks ago in this post.) You can even see a shadow of my eyebrows. I still haven’t had to shave, but hair is definitely growing. And yes, I take the pictures in my bathroom because that’s where I can find the most light.

I may be done with chemo, but I’m not done going to the RCC on a regular basis. Friday was my first Herceptin-only treatment. I was a little annoyed that I had to go out on Black Friday (we usually just stay home and hibernate), but at least my appointment wasn’t scheduled until late in the afternoon. I even managed to run a few errands on the way, since I was going to be out anyways. I should have stayed away from the mall, though. The parking lot was still crazy.

Getting my Herceptin infusion. You can see where they’ve accessed my port.

Herceptin treatments will last for a year, but they’re only a half an hour in the chair – so much easier than chemo. As another added bonus, I don’t feel any side effects from the Herceptin, and I don’t need any pre-treatment drugs. So, I’m in and out of the RCC in less than an hour, and I don’t notice any side effects when I get home. I didn’t even take anyone with me for this treatment, since it was quick and easy. I brought a book to read and was happy for the quiet.

Since chemo is over, I’m also on hair watch. It’s starting to get a little more obvious, but still just fuzz on my head.

Some hair growing in.

It’s not really much longer, but now you can start to see a hair-line of scalp versus face. I’m curious how long it will take to grow back, and what it will look like when it does grow in. My neck still gets cold, so I’ve resorted to wearing a scarf to keep it warmer. My eyebrows are still teeny-tiny hairs as well. I’m not ready to give up my hats anytime soon!